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CPT code 62272: Therapeutic lumbar puncture, CSF drainage2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in South Carolina

Reports a spinal puncture performed to drain cerebrospinal fluid therapeutically, such as to relieve elevated pressure rather than obtain diagnostic samples.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality2.9K Medicare services in 2024

In South Carolina, Medicare pays $203.04 for 62272 in the office and $81.14 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$203.04Office (non-facility)
$81.14Hospital or facility
−6.3%vs the national office rate ($216.77)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 62272 nationwide

Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.

We’ll open 62272 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in South Carolina
  2. What 62272 covers
  3. Compared with other areas
  4. Rate map
  5. How it’s calculated
  6. Payment rules
  7. Related codes
  8. Rate history
  9. Where it applies
  10. Billing questions
  11. Sources

What 62272 covers

A clinician uses a spinal puncture to drain cerebrospinal fluid for treatment, rather than primarily to collect a diagnostic specimen. A typical situation is therapeutic lumbar drainage for pressure relief in a patient with idiopathic intracranial hypertension. Neurologists, neurosurgeons, and other clinicians who perform spinal procedures may provide the service in an office, hospital, or other facility setting.

Report the code for the therapeutic drainage procedure, supported by documentation of the indication and the drainage performed. Record the puncture site and technique, along with pressure measurements or the amount removed when obtained. The code has a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. When multiple procedures occur in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard 50% reduction. Modifier 50 is inappropriate. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this service, and co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.

This summary was written with AI assistance from CMS physician fee schedule data and checked against the CMS billing rules shown here. Rates on this page come directly from CMS files.

How South Carolina compares for 62272

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 62272 runs from $188.06 in Arkansas to $281.29 in San Benito County, CA. South Carolina pays $203.04. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

62272 in South Carolina vs other payment areas
  1. South Carolina · this page$203.04
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$240.99+$37.95
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$247.96+$44.92
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$246.91+$43.87
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$238.21+$35.17
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$253.50+$50.46
  7. Alaska · Alaska$245.17+$42.13

Other areas in South Carolina first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.

Every other payment area

62272 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$191.25$75.81
ArkansasArkansas$188.06$74.73
ArizonaArizona$209.87$82.03
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$225.98$81.38
Chico, CACalifornia$224.73$80.13
El Centro, CACalifornia$224.81$80.21
Fresno, CACalifornia$224.73$80.13
Hanford, CACalifornia$224.73$80.13

62272 rates by state

Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.

MEWIVTNHMTNDMNMINYMARIWAIDWYSDIAILINOHPANJCTORNVUTCONEMOKYWVVAMDDECAAZNMKSOKARTNNCSCDCTXLAMSALGAFLAKHI

Explore a state

Local rates. Clear comparisons.

Hover or focus a tile to see its rate range. Select it to open the state’s fee schedule.

$188.06

$253.01

Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.

View every state and territory as a table
62272 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$245.171
AL$191.251
AR$188.061
AZ$209.871
CA$224.73–$281.2929
CO$223.531
CT$232.621
DC$247.961
DE$213.651
FL$218.08–$246.913
GA$203.63–$222.482
GU$230.661
HI$230.661
IA$194.591
ID$196.531
IL$212.59–$238.214
IN$197.781
KS$194.621
KY$198.831
LA$198.90–$210.082
MA$222.34–$246.182
MD$217.79–$247.963
ME$198.87–$209.632
MI$205.78–$222.302
MN$210.061
MO$195.71–$209.623
MS$191.881
MT$216.741
NC$201.081
ND$207.451
NE$195.491
NH$220.941
NJ$234.12–$245.022
NM$207.511
NV$214.301
NY$204.63–$261.805
OH$203.881
OK$197.261
OR$211.51–$230.192
PA$203.64–$226.862
PR$218.181
RI$220.991
SC$203.041
SD$206.351
TN$195.891
TX$202.19–$223.768
UT$206.191
VA$209.61–$247.962
VI$218.181
VT$207.521
WA$221.62–$250.442
WI$199.621
WV$203.941
WY$212.691

See 62272 in every payment locality

How the 62272 rate is calculated

Each of 62272’s three RVUs is multiplied by a geographic index (GPCI) for the payment locality, added up, and multiplied by the conversion factor. Drag the indexes or enter a ZIP to see what moves the rate.

How the rate is built · 62272

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.54

1.54 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense4.48

4.48 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.47

0.47 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

6.4900

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$216.77

Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.

The exact South Carolina inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

6,949

Code
62272
Physician work
1.54
Practice expense
4.48
Malpractice
0.47

GPCI2026.csv

93

Locality
South Carolina
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.924
Malpractice
0.850
Office calculation for 62272 in South Carolina
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.54× 1.0001.5400
Practice expense4.48× 0.9244.1395
Malpractice0.47× 0.8500.3995
Total RVUs6.0790
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, South Carolina$203.04

Office: (1.54 × 1 + 4.48 × 0.924 + 0.47 × 0.85) × $33.4009 = $203.04

Facility: (1.54 × 1 + 0.53 × 0.924 + 0.47 × 0.85) × $33.4009 = $81.14

Open 62272 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 62272

The CMS indicators that decide how 62272 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 62272

Therapeutic lumbar puncture, CSF drainage

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global period000Same-day global: pre- and post-op care on the day of the procedure is included.
Multiple procedures2Standard reduction: highest-valued procedure at 100%, others at 50%.
Bilateral (modifier 50)0The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply.
Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS)1Not paid (statutory restriction).
Co-surgeons (62)0Not permitted.
Team surgery (66)0Not permitted.
Professional/technical0Physician service: no professional/technical split.

What modifiers do to the payment

Modifier 51 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

62272 without 51 · national office

$216.77

Therapeutic lumbar puncture, CSF drainage

62272-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$108.39

When this isn’t the highest-valued procedure in the session, Medicare pays 50% of its fee schedule amount (the highest is paid at 100%).

When to use modifier 51

Codes related to 62272

Related codes aren’t interchangeable: bill the code that matches the service performed.

Codes related to 62272
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, South Carolina
Same family
62270Lumbar puncture, diagnostic, no imaging guidanceDiagnostic spinal puncture; the distinction is diagnostic sampling versus therapeutic CSF drainage.$154.76
Used instead
62220CSF shunt, to extracranial siteEstablishes a brain-cavity shunt for CSF diversion rather than draining CSF through a spinal puncture.No office rate
62223CSF shunt creation, peritoneal, pleural, or other terminusEstablishes a brain-cavity shunt when ongoing CSF diversion is needed instead of spinal drainage.No office rate

How 62272 has changed in South Carolina

62272 · Office / nonfacility

$203.04

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $34.17 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $168.87 to $203.04 (20.2%).

It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.

Base rate by release · bars start at $0 · select a bar to compare

One bar per available release, ordered by effective date. Missing rates remain gaps. These comparisons hold the code, setting and locality identifiers constant; they do not isolate which policy or input caused a change.

What changed, release by release

  1. January 1, 2026

    RVU26A

    $168.87changed to$203.04

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.58 changed to 1.54
    • Practice expense RVU 3.54 changed to 4.48
    • Malpractice RVU 0.50 changed to 0.47
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.913 changed to 0.924
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.817 changed to 0.850

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $172.08changed to$168.87

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 3.52 changed to 3.54
    • Malpractice RVU 0.46 changed to 0.50

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $169.27changed to$172.08

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $167.33changed to$169.27

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 3.34 changed to 3.52
    • Malpractice RVU 0.43 changed to 0.46
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.908 changed to 0.913
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.756 changed to 0.817

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $163.12changed to$167.33

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 3.17 changed to 3.34
    • Malpractice RVU 0.39 changed to 0.43
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.903 changed to 0.908
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.695 changed to 0.756

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $167.67changed to$163.12

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 3.31 changed to 3.17
    • Malpractice RVU 0.34 changed to 0.39

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $172.90changed to$167.67

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 3.32 changed to 3.31
    • Malpractice RVU 0.32 changed to 0.34
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.907 changed to 0.903
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.624 changed to 0.695

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $183.47changed to$172.90

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Work RVU 1.35 changed to 1.58
    • Practice expense RVU 3.92 changed to 3.32
    • Malpractice RVU 0.30 changed to 0.32
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.912 changed to 0.907
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.553 changed to 0.624

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $190.30changed to$183.47

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 4.14 changed to 3.92
    • Malpractice RVU 0.29 changed to 0.30

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $189.14changed to$190.30

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 4.09 changed to 4.14
    • Malpractice RVU 0.30 changed to 0.29
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.634 changed to 0.553

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $190.22changed to$189.14

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 4.11 changed to 4.09
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.715 changed to 0.634

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $190.51changed to$190.22

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 4.09 changed to 4.11
    • Malpractice RVU 0.31 changed to 0.30

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $189.56changed to$190.51

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $188.27changed to$189.56

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 4.07 changed to 4.09
    • Malpractice RVU 0.32 changed to 0.31
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.911 changed to 0.912
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.618 changed to 0.715

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $190.94changed to$188.27

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 4.50 changed to 4.07
    • Malpractice RVU 0.33 changed to 0.32
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.909 changed to 0.911
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.520 changed to 0.618

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $190.94

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$203.04$81.14RVU26D
2026-07-01$203.04$81.14RVU26C
2026-04-01$203.04$81.14RVU26B
2026-01-01$203.04$81.14RVU26A
2025-10-01$168.87$85.88RVU25D
2025-07-01$168.87$85.88RVU25C
2025-04-01$168.87$85.88RVU25B
2025-01-01$168.87$85.88RVU25A
2024-10-01$172.08$86.68RVU24D
2024-07-01$172.08$86.68RVU24C
2024-04-01$172.08$86.68RVU24B
2024-03-09$172.08$86.68RVU24AR
2024-01-01$169.27$85.27RVU24A
2023-10-01$167.33$85.79RVU23D
2023-07-01$167.33$85.79RVU23C
2023-04-01$167.33$85.79RVU23B
2023-01-01$167.33$85.79RVU23A
2022-10-01$163.12$84.68RVU22D
2022-07-01$163.12$84.68RVU22C
2022-04-01$163.12$84.68RVU22B
2022-01-01$163.12$84.68RVU22A
2021-10-01$167.67$83.86RVU21D
2021-07-01$167.67$83.86RVU21C
2021-04-01$167.67$83.86RVU21B
2021-01-01$167.67$83.86RVU21A
2020-10-01$172.90$85.18RVU20D
2020-07-01$172.90$85.18RVU20C
2020-04-01$172.90$85.18RVU20B
2020-01-01$172.90$85.18RVU20A
2019-10-01$183.47$79.61RVU19D
2019-07-01$183.47$79.61RVU19C
2019-04-01$183.47$79.61RVU19B
2019-01-01$183.47$79.61RVU19A
2018-10-01$190.30$79.65RVU18D
2018-07-01$190.30$79.65RVU18C
2018-04-01$190.30$79.65RVU18B
2018-01-01$190.30$79.65RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$189.14$80.81RVU17D
2017-07-01$189.14$80.81RVU17C
2017-04-01$189.14$80.81RVU17B
2017-01-01$189.14$80.81RVU17A
2016-10-01$190.22$81.16RVU16D
2016-07-01$190.22$81.16RVU16C
2016-04-01$190.22$81.16RVU16B
2016-01-01$190.22$81.16RVU16A
2015-10-01$190.51$82.04RVU15D
2015-07-01$190.51$82.04RVU15C
2015-04-01$189.56$81.63RVU15B
2015-01-01$189.56$81.63RVU15A
2014-10-01$188.27$80.90RVU14D
2014-07-01$188.27$80.90RVU14C
2014-04-01$188.27$80.90RVU14B
2014-01-01$188.27$80.90RVU14A
2013-10-01$190.94$77.44RVU13D
2013-07-01$190.94$77.44RVU13C
2013-04-01$190.94$77.44RVU13B
2013-01-01$190.94$77.44RVU13AR

Price 62272 for an earlier date of service

Where the South Carolina rate applies

South Carolina is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 475 cities and communities in South Carolina. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Abbeville
  • Abney Crossroads
  • Adams Run
  • Aiken
  • Alcolu
  • Allendale
  • Anderson
  • Andrews

Browse all communities in South Carolina

62272 billing questions

How does 62272 differ from diagnostic spinal puncture 62270?

Use 62272 when the puncture is performed to drain CSF therapeutically. Use 62270 when the puncture is diagnostic, such as for CSF sampling.

Is 62272 reported per milliliter of CSF removed?

No. Report the therapeutic puncture service, not a separate unit for each milliliter drained.

What documentation supports 62272?

Document the clinical reason for therapeutic drainage and that drainage was performed. Include the site and technique, and record fluid volume or pressure findings when obtained.

Should modifier 50 be used for drainage at multiple sites?

No. The CMS bilateral adjustment does not apply to this code, and modifier 50 is inappropriate.

How does Medicare treat other procedures performed in the same session?

The highest-valued procedure is paid in full; other procedures are subject to the standard multiple-procedure reduction. An assistant at surgery is not paid, and co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.

Where these rates come from

FeeBase calculates base physician payments from CMS work, practice-expense and malpractice RVUs, adjusted by each locality’s geographic indexes and the conversion factor. Services without a published rate are labeled, never given a made-up amount. Amounts are Medicare allowed amounts before claim adjustments: not a patient’s bill or a commercial rate.

CMS RVU26D · effective Oct 1, 2026 through the day before Jan 1, 2027

Show the CMS file lines behind this rate
RVUs for 62272PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 6,949 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for South CarolinaGPCI2026.csv, line 93 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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